Cal Poly vs. UCSB

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with University of California Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Barbara is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (26,133 students vs. 23,069 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); University of California Santa Barbara is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Barbara is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; University of California Santa Barbara 17:1.

Cal Poly vs. UCSB Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or UCSB? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than UCSB ($17,453 vs. $17,658).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo are 7.3% lower than at University of California Santa Barbara ($18,792 vs. $20,279).
• University of California Santa Barbara is 20.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $2,818 more per year; $16,414.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46% higher at UCSB than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $15,949 more per year; $50,614.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Barbara than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (53% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Barbara students is 72.2% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($24,695 vs. $14,338).

Cal Poly vs. UCSB Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or UCSB? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCSB and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Barbara (1350) is 30 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming UCSB students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; University of California Santa Barbara 1230/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; University of California Santa Barbara 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Test-free; UCSB - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; UCSB Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCSB (3.82).
• UCSB has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 13.8% at UCSB.

Cal Poly vs. UCSB Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and UCSB? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Santa Barbara's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $10,400 more per year than UCSB graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Barbara graduates have a $2,215 lower median loan debt than Cal Poly graduates ($16,451 vs. $18,666).
• Among borrowers, UCSB graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cal Poly graduates ($170 vs. $193).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSB students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.